NEW LIMERICK, Maine — Friends and members rejoice. Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and hails the start of the summer season. It’s come with a vengeance as we experience wicked hot days through the week.
With the thunder showers this week, the golf course is really greening up. If you look at the greens from afar, there is a slight tint of green showing as the heat and water get the seeds sprouting. It will be 30-45 days before the greens will be looking good again.
Now we have received news that Governor Mills has relaxed some restrictions, and we are allowed to open our driving range. Mats are out and flags are in. Purchase your range tokens in the clubhouse.
Good news for the club as we were informed at the business meeting that many memberships are coming in. You too can join and receive unlimited play. If you have not been a member in the prior two years (2018, 2019), or have never been a member, you can become a member for 50 percent off the 2020 price. This is good for individual or family memberships. Call the clubhouse and get in on the summer fun.
Golf for Life is going forward. If you have never played before or have thought about learning, this is the program for you. You will get five group lessons with our certified instructor, David Grant, plus the use of golf clubs and the driving range. You’ll even be on the course with a mini tournament with other participants. All this for just the price of a phone call to Dave at 207-538-8333 to put your name on the list. Classes will start soon.
The Junior Golf clinic will begin on Mondays in late June. Call the proshop to add your child to the group. With most of the recreation programs canceled this summer, this is a great way for the kids to enjoy the great outdoors and learn a wonderful sport that they can play throughout their lifetime. And it’s good exercise too.
The Men’s Twilight League will begin on Monday, June 8. There are still a couple spots left in the 4 p.m. flight. Play runs for 10 weeks and then the playoffs begin. The Ladies Association will be playing on Tuesdays, but the format is still to be decided.
Upcoming events are the Houlton High School Alumni Association nine-hole scramble tournament on Saturday, July 11, in the morning. More information will follow as we get closer. Make your four-person team up or individuals and twosomes can call the proshop to sign up.
The County Open is Aug. 8-9. Saturday, Aug. 8, play will be at Houlton Community Golf Course. It is an 18-hole individual handicap tournament with several different flights. Sunday, Aug. 9, will be an 18-hole, four person scramble held at VaJoWa Golf Course in Island Falls. Look for more details in this column when we get closer. Unfortunately the annual dinner had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The Lakeside Restaurant opened to dine in service last week. Although the crowds were smaller, we have heard many great reviews of the excellent food. Chef Aaron Paul has set dine-in hours for Wednesday through Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Sunday brunch is back, served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call him at 207-805-5250 to make your reservations.
Now a little course discussion. As a point of etiquette, I have noticed that there are many ball marks on the greens that are not being repaired. It is more important to do your duty now as we are trying to get our greens looking good again.
As we play this week, if you see the crew working, stop and say “Hi” and thank them for their efforts in getting the course up to our usually high standards. Hope to see you on the course.
Houlton Community Golf Course is located on 6 Country Club Drive in New Limerick. For more information on the course call 532-2662, email houltongolf@gmail.com or visit their website www.houltongolf.com.
